Introduction

The Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou(VAO) is a centre of excellence in the creation, production and marketing of Burkinabe art, fine crafts and handicrafts. Here you can feel the passion and see the creations of over 500 artisans representing 30 different genres of art which express the Burkinabe culture.

Located beside the world famous, international craft fair, SIAO, the Village has a unique semi circle architecture giving the artisans a protected workshop as well as open access to the buying public. The workshops surround a central courtyard of green space and a community bistro.

The VAO is an incubator of talent and a space where creativity, passion and integrity thrive.

A brief history

In a challenging economy with limited natural resources, art is a life line. Art represents the intellectual property of a people, preserves their culture and supports the artisans and their families. When one buys art, one feeds millions.

To celebrate the Burkinabe culture, the creativity of its artisans and to ensure a viable economic model for art, the Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou is the result of the cooperation between Burkina Faso and the Grand-Duche de Luxembourg. It was inaugurated on October 28^th, 2000.

This daring project is driven jointly by the Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et d’Artisanat of Burkina Faso and the Agence luxembourgeoise pour la Cooperation au Developpement, Lux-Development.

The architectural concept was developed by the Cabinet d’Ingenierie, Design et d’Architecture, IDA.

Construction began in June 1998 and was completed in September 1999. The first artisans arrived in January 2000 and the Village opened to the public on March 15^th 2000.

The artisans who work on the site are organized under eight professional corporations affiliated under a common Groupement d’Interet Economique (GIE), officially and legally recognized since July 2000.

VAO is your mark for the quality, authenticity and origin of each piece which is strictly selected by the VAO selection committee. All pieces are Fair Trade and the VAO is a registered non-profit organization.


A Word from the President

Dear visitors,

Welcome to the Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou (VAO) - a true “window of know-how and
passion.

Here you will discover, through the work of more than five hundred (500) professional, innovative and creative artisans from thirty (30) trades, a broad variety of art, fine crafts and handicrafts which we can provide to you at anytime, anywhere.

Since its opening in 2000, VAO has successfully participated in many international exhibitions and trade shows, as demonstrated by the numerous prizes it was awarded for the quality and originality of its products.

This is why, whether you are looking for products “a la carte” or just following your inspiration, what we offer provides value for your money, in line with your requirements, while keeping in mind your constant search for authenticity and originality.

We hope you will find pleasure and satisfaction in browsing through this site and that it will allow us to establish fruitful commercial exchanges and a lasting partnership.

Franck TAPSOBA

President du Conseil de Gestion